Have you been considering renting your home on the Outer Cape during the Summer? It can be a large undertaking but Cape Vacation Rentals is here to help!

The vacation rental industry has changed rapidly in the last several years, and it’s now easier than ever to rent out your home or condo on a weekly basis. Whether you’d like to permanently convert your home into a vacation rental, or just rent out your home for a few weeks while you’re on vacation, there are people out there who want to rent it, and local real estate agents such as Cape Vacation Rentals and Thomas D. Brown Real Estate that will help make it happen. Do keep in mind that renting out your home can be alot of work, so it is important to know what you are getting into, and to prepare accordingly. With a little bit of planning and hard work, you can put your home to work for you!

Getting your Home Ready to Rent

Keep careful records.Rental income is taxable, but many of the expenses you will incur as you prepare yourrental are tax deductible. Keep detailed records of the money and time you spend getting your home ready to rent so that you can maximize your deductions at tax time.

Apply for a rental permit.Permits are not necessary in all areas, especially for short-term rentals, but many cities are responding to the growth of new rental trends by creating new forms of regulation. If a permit is required in your area, give yourself plenty of time to get through the application process before your first guests arrive. Remember that permitting and inspection fees, like all other expenses you incur while preparing your rental property, are tax deductible so be sure to keep careful records.

Acquire landlord insurance.Call your local insurance agent and ask if your current homeowner’s policy will cover the kind of rental situation you will be offering. Many policies will cover the occasional short-term rental, but for more long-term arrangements, you may need special coverage.

Prepare your home to rent, inside and out.Make sure that all appliances work, that furniture is comfortable and in good repair, and that everything is clean and neat. Ensure that safety equipment like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers are in good working order and are clearly accessible. Remove all precious personal belongings to a secure location, such as a storage unit or primary home. Do the same with all toiletries and anything else you wouldn’t want a stranger snooping through. Put clean linens on all of the beds (if you are planning on supplying linens), and make sure that bathrooms are stocked with clean towels, soap dispensers are full, etc. The requirements for safety equipment in rental properties vary widely by region. Smoke detectors are the bare minimum in most places. You will be informed of further requirements through the permitting process. Unless you are going for a very high-end rental, do not furnish your rental with extremely expensive furniture, linens, towels, etc. These items are likely to get damaged or disappear. Look for items of decent quality that are not too expensive but are still comfortable.

Hire a reputable cleaning service.Some property owners are able to minimize costs by performing rental clean-outs on their own, but this can be a very time-consuming and difficult process, so it might be better worth your time to hire a professional service. If you do, be sure to do some research first and hire a reputable company that is licensed and insured. Get personal recommendations from your rental agent, other property owners, or look for a service with excellent online recommendations.

Hire a landscaping service.As with cleaning, some property owners take on landscaping chores themselves, but you may be better off hiring a landscaping service to take care of routine lawn maintenance and care. Landscaping services, like cleaning services and other maintenance costs are all tax deductible, and a well-maintained yard is more likely to get good reviews and repeat renters.

Create a system for providing a key or entry instructions to your guests. This is something that can be handled by your rental agent should you choose to use one. The check in and checkout instructions will be detailed with the lease and any inquiries etc. can be directed to the rental agent and their office, freeing you up to enjoy your time!

Create a welcome book or informational packet to give to renters when they arrive.Include information about the home and the local area. Providing information on local attractions and dining options, as well as emergency contact information is an option that guests love. Leaving a welcome gift like a fruit basket or bottle of wine is another great way to welcome guests and keep them coming back year after year.

Renting your home as a vacation rental can be a great opportunity and a source of income. The key is surrounding yourself with people you trust that will help and guide you through the process. Why deal with typing leases and collecting deposits when your agent can handle that for you. Call Cape Vacation Rentals at Thomas D. Brown Real Estate today to get your house listed for the 2017 vacation season. Let our staff of agents handle the hard part!

Valentine’s Day, also known as Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine is a celebration observed on February 14 each year. It is celebrated in many countries around the world.

St. Valentine’s Day began as a religious celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. Several stories were invented for the various Valentines that belonged to February 14. A popular account of Saint Valentine of Rome states that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were being persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to the legend, during his time in prison, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. An embellishment later added to this story states that before Saint Valentine’s execution he wrote her a letter and signed it “Your Valentine” as a farewell.

Saint Valentine’s Day is an official feast day in the Anglican Community as well as in the Lutheran Church. The Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates Saint Valentine’s Day, however it is celebrated on July 6 and July 30 in order to pay homage to the Roman leader Saint Valentine, and the latter date in honor of Heiromartyr Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna (modern Terni). A heiromartyr is defined in Wikipedia as a bishop or priest that has died for his beliefs.

How did Valentine’s Day then become associated with hearts, flowers and love? The day was first associated with romantic love by Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages when courtly love began to flourish. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering candies and sending greeting cards or “Valentines”.

In Europe, Saint Valentine’s Keys are given to lovers as a romantic symbol and acts as an invitation to “unlock the heart” of the one that gave it to you. They are also given to children and are said to ward of epilepsy (also called Saint Valentine’s Malady). Valentine’s Day symbols commonly used today the heart outline, doves, and a winged Cupid. Handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards dating back to the 19th century.

So whether you are giving a hand written note or a greeting card, don’t forget the flowers! Valentine’s Day falls on Sunday this year, so how about bringing your Valentine to the Cape for a weekend getaway…Don’t forget to call Nick at Thomas D. Brown Real Estate to go look at some homes that could become your very own Summer Cape Cod getaway! Now that would make a great Valentine!

The hidden sand bars off the coast in the fifty miles of sea between Provincetown and Chatham have seen the destruction of so many ships. The waters off of Truro and Wellfleet alone have seen over 1,000 wrecks . This has led to that stretch of ocean being referred to as an “ocean graveyard.”

When a storm struck the Cape in the early days, it was not a surprise to hear the alarm: “Ship ashore! All hands perishing”. The townspeople would head to the beach. Usually the surf was too high for them to get close enough to attempt a rescue. Unfortunately, by the time the tide calmed, there was rarely anyone left to rescue.

The passengers and crew of these early ships couldn’t be saved however the cargo most often was! After a wreck, the same townspeople that attempted to rescue the crew would come out with their carts and horses. They would haul away the cargo such as wine, coffee, nutmeg, cotton, tobacco or whatever the ship had been carrying. Sometimes owners of the wreck paid the local people to salvage their cargo. However most often the local people simply went on the theory of “finders keepers”.

My Father In Law tells stories of a ship carrying blueberries that sank off of Coast Guard Beach in North Truro. He talks of people leaving the beach with crates full of blueberries. Blueberry jam, cordial, muffins, breads and more were on the menu for quite a while in Truro that year!

The Frances was sunk in a December gale in 1872. The wreck can still sometimes be seen at low tide at Head of the Meadow Beach in North Truro. Although the ship was lost, the United States Life Saving Service men dragged a whaleboat from the bay across the Cape to the outer beach and rescued all aboard. The captain, who unfortunately died several days later from the effects of exposure, is buried in Truro.

The home at 37 Old Outermost Rd sits on the bluffs of the National Seashore in North Truro and looks out over these very waters. As you watch the waves wash ashore, remember those that have lost their lives bringing goods and wares to our coastlines. Appreciate the slow motion of the freighters in the distance that are doing the same today!

The views from the Old Outermost Rd. House are stunning and hold so much history surrounding Cape Cod. Call Nick today to learn more about this home that is now on the market! Enjoy the views with your family!

Have you been thinking about spending a week or two in Truro this Summer? We have just added two new Truro vacation rentals to our website! Whether you are looking for a large luxury waterfront rental or a cottage on the beach we have something to fit your needs! Call or email Annie or Lucy today to ensure that you can spend your Truro vacation in the home that you want!

This 4 bedroom 4 bath home is a fabulous waterfront home sited high on the bluff overlooking Cape Cod Bay. This Truro vacation rental boasts spectacular views and deeded beach stairs to the sandy beach below. Spacious light-filled interior throughout, plethora of windows and comfortably furnished, the home is just waiting for you to arrive – escape your hectic life and relax right here! Superb outdoor space on the 100 foot deck, covered porch and views from every room of the home – perfect for watching the sunsets. Enjoy wonderful open living on the main level with living, dining, fully equipped kitchen with GE Advantium oven, large island, walk-in pantry along with two bedroom suites. The second level has two bedrooms suites and more of the sensational views and a deck. The home has two sounds systems, seven TV’s, high speed Internet service; outdoor furnishings include dining table, umbrella and chairs; all linens and beach chairs provided. Thoughtfully planned landscape adds to the privacy of the property and it’s an easy walk to the beach stairway. Just 10 minutes from Provincetown and all it has to offer. Easy access to the Outer Cape from Boston on the ferry or plan your flight to the Provincetown Municipal Airport.

This 2 bedroom 1 bath Truro vacation rental is on the beach and right on the Provincetown shuttle route. Pilgrim Colony Cottages is located on Beach Point! Steps to the wide sandy beach and great swimming in Cape Cod Bay. You could even walk to Provincetown along the beach! This is a very charming cottage that has been well maintained by the owner. Fully equipped kitchen overlooks the beach to water and offers a dining area. The living room has a beautiful fireplace and mantle, flat screen TV and comfy furnishings. There are two bedrooms, one with a double bed, the other with two twin beds, the bath offers a shower. There are gorgeous wood floors throughout; cable and Internet. The deck faces the water, has a table, chairs, casual seating and a charcoal grille with plenty of sunsets right out front! Beach chairs provided for your convenience

No matter what type or size home you are considering for your Truro vacation, be sure to reach out to Annie and Lucy at Cape Vacation Rentals today. We have an extensive inventory with something that is sure to suit your needs.